Page 98 of Simply Irresistible

We both chuckle, and stay this way for over an hour. Her eyes are getting smaller, so I keep talking by telling her stories from my childhood. She listens, but after a while, her long lashes rest on her cheeks. For another five minutes, I continue talking until I'm sure she's asleep. Her breathing is calm and a lock of brown hair falls like a curtain in front of her face. Goodnight, my sweet angel.

The moment I end the call, I search and dial an important number. "Hey, it’s Nick. Sorry to call so late. But I need a favor. It's important.”

* * *

As I openthe oven door, the sweet scent of my cinnamon rolls joins the music coming from the radio, together they create an atmosphere of uplifting sweetness. Just what I need. Placing the tray on the counter to cool off, my eyes go to my phone, and my mind wanders back to my video call with Nick. He saved me from having a full-blown panic attack and helped me fall asleep when I thought I couldn't. God, I miss him. Should I call him? I read the clock. Charlotte is free in an hour, so I'll wait till she's back. Then we can call him together.

I let out a startled squeal when the phone rings—unknown number. I hesitate but remind myself. This could be a new client and answer, "Simply irresistible, with Emma."

"Hello. It's Clair of Clair's diner."

"Good morning. How are you?"

“Busy, but good, dear. The sweets you delivered were incredible. God, I may have gained five pounds. I simply couldn't stop tasting every single thing you made. They were irresistible. Even a few regular customers who I asked to try wanted more. So, Emma, I'm begging you to say yes to being my new baker."

My heartbeat thumps in my throat. "I have a few questions."

"Ask away,” she says.

Twenty minutes pass and when I hang up, a giant grin spreads across my face. Oh my God, I did it. The sound of someone clearing their throat makes me jump and turn. My mouth drops open while my eyes lock on the person standing in on the threshold. "Please tell me you're real."

He pats himself on his arms and chest while taking a step forward. "Yep, I'm real."

With the speed of light, I find myself jumping into his arms. He catches me with ease, and my legs wrap themselves around his waist, while my lips descend until they’re inches apart from his.

"Nick, you came back." The stubbles on his jaw arouses the nerve endings of my fingertips as they touch his skin. I saw him less than twenty-four hours ago, but it feels like he's been away for a week.

"If you think I'll let you deal with this on your own, you don't know me. We're in this together, you hear me?"

Closing the gap between our lips, the tenderness of kiss warms me, and when our tongues meet, a sense of being home washes over me. The anxiety that I've been experiencing since yesterday is being pushed to the side. His embrace, and him telling me he will be by my side, is what I needed most.With a few steps, he plants my butt on the place that I nicknamed our hot spot and stands between my legs. He ends the sensual kiss and places his forehead against mine. His brown eyes are the color of mahogany wood—full of comforting and home-steady toughness that lets me know he will be the beam of support to me.

"Thank you for coming back," I say. He cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch.

"I'll do anything for you. Or did you forget that? If so, I'll be happy to remind you of my love for you." His thumb slides over my mouth.

"Did I screw up your business trip?"

A corner of his lips lift. "No, I've talked with Nero and explained I had a family emergency at home. The family man he is, he understood, and he lent me his private jet so I could be home as soon as possible. Now tell me what happened after you fell asleep and me walking into your kitchen."

I exhale deep. "Charlotte woke up at 3 am screaming. She had a terrible nightmare, and she ended up sleeping with me last night. I've never seen her this upset."

"Did you tell her about her father?"

"No! I need to know if he's serious before telling her anything. God, how am I going to tell her?"

"Step by step, Emma," he says while drawing circles on my back in the soothing, comforting way."How was it for you, seeing him after six years?"

I lean my head against his chest. "Painful… confusing. I've pushed the thought of him re-entering our lives out of my mind for so long, but now I have to deal with it."

"No, we will deal with it, Em."

I wrap my arms around his waist. "God, that sounds so good. But it's my mess, Nick. You—"

Before I can finish my sentence, he grabs my chin, lifts it until my eyes meet his. They're a shade darker than before, and the deep intense fire blazing in them causes me to chew my bottom lip.

"Stop it... I told you, it's you and me. You're not alone anymore." His voice is full of authority and dominance but in a passionate way. "No one will tear us apart. And if you keep saying I instead of we, I'll put you over my knee, pull those tight pants and underwear to your knees, and spank your sweet ass until they're a lovely shade of pink."

Just thinking of him doing just that causes a sudden wetness and throbbing between my legs. How in the hell do I get aroused by imagining him spanking my ass? But I do. I want to forget the whole Thomas situation for a moment and drown in Nick and me… or better said, in us. A lopsided grin lifts one corner of his lips.

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